Kent, Ohio – The NC State volleyball team fell to Kent State, 3-0, on Saturday, Sept. 9, in its final match at the Kent State University Invitational in Kent, Ohio. The Pack lost the first game (30-28), before dropping the second (34-32) and third (30-18) frames. Chrissy Zirpolo put in 11 kills and 10 digs, while Jessica Williams contributed 12 kills, eight digs and two total blocks. Aiwane Iboaya posted a .312 hitting percentage as three different players added service aces to the Pack’s cause. With the loss, NC State falls to 2-7 on the season, while Kent State moves to 3-5.
The red and white battled back and forth in the front frame, withstanding an early run from Kent State and keeping things close until the Golden Flashes pulled away at the end. The Pack, which has struggled in second games all season, offered a strong performance in the follow-up game, maintaining balance in the score and forcing extra play before ultimately falling. The team’s youth eventually gave way to errors in the third game, which allowed KSU to pull away with the team win.
NC State will return to the courts next Friday, Sept. 15, with its first Atlantic Coast Conference match of the season. The Pack will take on rival North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., at 7 p.m.
Courtesy: NC State
